Carl Dobkins, Jr.
| Carl Dobkins, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Carl Dobkins, Jr. in 1969 | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
January 13, 1941 Cincinnati, Ohio |
Carl Dobkins, Jr. (born 13 January 1941, Cincinnati, Ohio[1]) is an American singer. He is best known for his 1959 hit, "My Heart is an Open Book", which went to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The record sold over one million copies, resulting in the awarding of a gold disc.[1]
Career
The Seniors, Dobkins' backup group, included Keith Ross, Paul Powers and Harry Clifton. The Seniors first met with a common interest in singing at Nast Memorial Methodist Church in Cincinnati. The group sang together for approximately eight years. Dobkins and the Seniors were promoted by Gil Sheppard, a local Cincinnati radio disc jockey, who noted the young singer's early high school compositions and a two-song demo record. This led to a recording contract with Fraternity Records, who released their first record.
After recording "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" at King Records studios, Sheppard sold the master recording to Decca Records. Dobkins then recorded sessions for Decca in Nashville, Tennessee, which included "My Heart is an Open Book" in 1959, which reached No. 3 on the pop chart and number 11 on the R&B chart.[2] Dobkins was featured frequently at Castle Farms, and on television for the Bob Braun Show (WLW-T, Cincinnati). He appeared fourteen times as a guest on Dick Clark's American Bandstand.
Personal life
Dobkins married Janice Cox in 1960. He has two daughters and five grandchildren. He has been inducted into the Cincinnati Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is now retired, but occasionally performs at oldies festivals. Dobkins sang rockabilly as well, and his contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Dobkins still lives in Cincinnati and performs upon individual request.
Discography
Fraternity F-794 - January 1958 - "Take Hold Of My Hand" / "That's Why I'm Asking"
Decca 9-30656 - May 1958 - "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" / "Love is Everything"
Decca DL 8938 1959 Carl Dobkins Jr.
Decca ED 2664 - August 1959 - "If You Don't Want My Lovin'" / "Love is Everything" / "My Heart Is An Open Book" / "My Pledge to You"
Brunswick 05817 - March 1960 - "Lucky Devil" - (#25 POP CHART) UK No. 44[3]
Decca 9-31088 - April 1960 - "One Little Girl"
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 113. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 164.
- ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 161. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.